I went yesterday. I showed up at 630am and by7am there were already 40 folks lining outside ahead of opening. You may not be guaranteed best choice by going early because as pistols are sold, more are added to the tables. However that depends on pace of sales (more on that later). Doors opened shortly before 8am and I was among the first 15 to be let in. 1911/ are arranged by grade on four long tables. Each one is tagged with grade, slide and frame manufacturer and s/n. The crew is helpful with additional info, but I suggest you print a schedule of serials by manufacturer to quickly figure out year of production. Once you pick up something it is yours unless you put it back on the table. I chose two service grade - an Ithaca and a Colt, both 1943. They tag the pistols with your name and send you to fill paperwork and check out in the back. Process is quickly and personnel is nice and helpful. Keep in mind cash is not accepted for payment and you need proof of citizenship, membership to affiliate club and practice of markmanship (CWW or C&R FFL will do). I was told shipping to FFL is in one max two weeks. I was done and out by 820am. I came back at 10am with a friend who just wanted to pick up whichever was available and was not keen to stand in line early in the morning. There was no line and we could walk straight in. By then, about half of the guns were gone and they had not been all replaced. The choice was definitely lesser but he was able to pick up three decent late production RR with mixed up slides for him and his two sons.
Overall it was worth the trip, especially because I was not keen to roll the dice again with an online purchase after I got a mixed up 1945 Colt frame/Ithaca slide service grade with rough finish on the second round a few years ago. I hoped to find a good Ithaca frame/Colt slide to swap with mine, but the few that were there were not of my liking (if anybody has one and want to trade/swap please let me know).
Wrapped the trip with a visit to Talladega CMP (impressive range, but the store has only standard CMP expert M1 Garands, and you do not benefit from picking in person as they are all the same). I also visited the Talladega speedway museum with quite a few remarkable racing cars of my youth.
Sorry for the long post - Hope it helps if you plan to go there next month. And do not forget - no firearms allowed, better leave yours in the truck if you carry.
Overall it was worth the trip, especially because I was not keen to roll the dice again with an online purchase after I got a mixed up 1945 Colt frame/Ithaca slide service grade with rough finish on the second round a few years ago. I hoped to find a good Ithaca frame/Colt slide to swap with mine, but the few that were there were not of my liking (if anybody has one and want to trade/swap please let me know).
Wrapped the trip with a visit to Talladega CMP (impressive range, but the store has only standard CMP expert M1 Garands, and you do not benefit from picking in person as they are all the same). I also visited the Talladega speedway museum with quite a few remarkable racing cars of my youth.
Sorry for the long post - Hope it helps if you plan to go there next month. And do not forget - no firearms allowed, better leave yours in the truck if you carry.
